Vestibule for cars



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1. G. ABEL.

- VBSTIBULB POR GARS.

No. 515,510. Patented Feb. 27, 1894.

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(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2. G. ABEL.

VESTIBLE FOR GARS.

No. 515,50. Patented Peb. 27, 1894.

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4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

G. ABEL. VBSTIBULB POR GARS.

No. 515,510. Patented Peb. 27, 1894.

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(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

, G. ABEL. vBsTBULE EUR GARS.

No. 515,510. Patented Feb. 27,l894.

- and shows the flexible web or side-curtain UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE ABEL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

VESTlBU LE FOR CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 515,510, dated February 27, 1894.

l Application filed December 4,1893.- SerialNo. 492,692. t (No model.) I

ments in Vestibnles for Railway-Cars; and I` herebyideclare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description ofthe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,in

which- Figure 1 is a front view of a vestibule, the right hand portion of the figure showing the diaphragm plates in elevatiomvthe left of the figure being in vertical transverse section to show the rod or link connection between the equalizers and the stems `which control the top or arch of the diaphragm. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the vestibule proper and thediaphragm plates, the tloorin g of thevestibnle removed to show the mechanism for controlling the tension of the iiexible webs or curtains which connect the diaphragm plates with` the vestibule proper. Fig. 3 isa horizontal section of the upper part of the vestibule showing the mechanism which supports and controls the arch of the diaphragm plates and connects the same with the vestibule properat the top of the car. gitudinal vertical section of the vestibule proper, and the arclrcf the diaphragm plate,

and also an accordion or plaited hood in section. Fig. 5 is a front-elevation ofthe diaphragm plates, showing one manner of connecting thev side plates and arch section, also indicating the connection with the bui'er stems. Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14, are details of construction. Fig. 15 is aldetail view, showing the forward edge of the flexible web out back from its center or-point Fig. ltis a'lonf tion of vestibules for cars, embodies the combination with the covered platform or vestibule proper, of spring supported or yielding diaphragm plates, a hood, and exible side walls extending from the diaphragm plates tothe posts of the vestibule proper-said hood and Vside walls being commonly of ac cordion or plaited material which will permit ofl the lto and fro as well as rocking movements of the diaphragm plates in rounding curves, che.

The main objects of my invention are, rst, to simplify the mechanism which controls the diaphragm plates, and flexible connections between the same and the vestibule proper, reduce the'number of working parts, render them easy of access for renewal or repairand to eifectually substitute for the easily destructible andk unsightly accordion extension web a Iiexible web so maintained under tension as to* present at all times, a smooth unbroken surface'on each side of the vesti bule.

To this end, my invention generally stated embracesasits rst feature, the combination with the diaphragmV plates, of stems which support the plates above, and an interposed.

elastic resilient bodily movable equalizing connection between said stems, whereby perfect contact and uniform pressure between adjacent plates is maintained in curving, (be. and as its second feature, it embraces, the combination withthe diaphragm plates, and a web roller of a iiexible web which forms the side wall, a'spring, and a iiexible connection between the spring and the web roller, where# by an extended movement of the flexible web is obtained with practically uniform tension of the web.

There are other minor features of invention, growing out of and adjunctive to the*` main features, all as will hereinaftery more more fully so that others skilled in the art to y' fully appear.

I will now proceed to describe my invention bule proper having the post-s B, (see Fig. '2,)j

which in the present instance are preferably hollow or box-shaped, for the reception of the rollers to which are attached the exible webs which extend to the diaphragm plates and form a continuation of the side walls of the vestibule. In all other respects the vestibule proper may be constructed in the usual, or any approved manner.

C, indicates the diaphragm plates which I prefer to construct of channel-shapein cross section, or with rearwardly projecting flanges (as at l-l Figs. 2 and 6) and said diaphragm plates are connected at the bottom with kthe usual buffer stems D D, in any preferred manner.

The arched upper portion C of the diaphragm plate--which is secured tothe vertical sections of the diaphragm plate by overlappinganges, orin any other suitable manner-.s` provided on its rear facewith slotted for-each side-which stems support and control the top o f the diaphragm plate-fthe bottom thereof being controlled by thebufferstems D D, as h ereinbefore pointed out.`

Each of said stems 3, 3, passes back through thefront of the vestibule proper on one side thereof (see Figs?) and 4) throughy a bracket or guide 4 on the s ide wall, and by meansof an, adjustable nut 5, or its equivalent, engages the forked arm of a rock lever 6, said rock lever having its fulcrum onn a bar 7 boltv ed to thefraine work of the car. The other,

or rear, arm of such rock leverV 6, is notched to receive a link 8 intothe lower end of which is hooked alvertical rod 9which passes down througha yoke or spring pocket 10, and spring 1l andA is provided at its lower end with" a collar 12 adapted to slide Within the yoke or spring pocket 10, and compress springi 11. Theopposite yokes 1.0-10- or the spring pocketsfon opposite sides of the vestibule are connected by links 13, or in other suitable manneuwith an equalizer, which may be inv theform of a lever-or equalizing bar 14E having its fulcrum lbolted t0 the under side of-V the platform (see Fig. 1) ;-or rocker armslconnected With the springy pockets on yokes `10.*and witheach other by the equalizing bar 14;a (see Fig. 16)-.013 in even simpler forms, viz: a tlexibleconnection llibwhich passes. around; sheavesylhis secured, at its endsto the oppositeyokes, or spring pockets 10 (see` Fig. 17)-01?, in fact any equivalent meanswhich will soconnect the spring yokes4 or pockets that the springs shall be equally compressed in curving'and thus maintain equalyor'uniforin pressure on both sidesof theidiaphragm platesLand as a consequence,

perfect and equal contact between the diaph Aragni plates o f adj acent'vestibulesthreugh` Out'.-

16, 16 (see Figs. 2 and 4) indicateithe `webs of iexiblematerialwhich form the extended sidewallsof the` vestibule betweenthe postsV B, B, and theivertical diaphragmv plates, C. Eaehfefithesewebsl, is Secured br @wedge to afvertical web roller 17; set in itsrespective boxfpostB, the oppositeedge of the Web-bevy `shaft of the roller.

ing cut back or inclined from the center rpoint18, (see Figs. 4 and 15,) Where it is secured to the diaphragm plate C. This construction and connection of the Web and dia` phragm plate will cause the strains between the Webs and diaphragm plates to operate longitudinally central of the webs and thus preventany folding or Wrinkling of the webs which mightarise from any departure of the diaphragm plates from a true vertical position.' The-triangular spaces above and below the point` 18 formed by cutting back the edge of the web 16 may be closed by elastic bands or gores 119', (see Fig. 15) if desired the leading edge of the web 16 may be provided with a light metalV plates-or metal bindingas indicated at 20. -receptacles 2, (see Figs, 5; and 6,) for the elliptical; enlarged heads of stems.3,-3,-one

21-.21 (see-Figs. 2 and 4) indicate sliding lrods. arranged in suitableguides or brackets `22-22, beneath the vestibule lioor,.each of said rods beingl encircled by a spiral. spring 1 2 3, confined between the forward bracket and acollar` 2ten the rod, and eachk rod being connected at its forward end to its respective web roller 17, bya chain cord, orflexiblecon-A nection 25, adapted to coil on the extended This construction,l or its equivalent,y will permit of a practically unlimited extension orretraction of the Web 16, and maintain it under substantially uniform tension.

The devices being constructed and combined withthe vestibule proper and the diaphragm plate substantially as hereinbefore specified, Willoperate as follows:V In curving, when the distance decreases between. the platforms on one side and increases. on the other, the diaphragm plates will, of course,be forced toward the cars on theinner side of the curve which Will` compress the inner buer springs and force in theinner stems 3, at the top ofthe adjacent diaphragms. The stems 3 act-on the forked rock arm 6, raising rod` 9 and compressing the spring 1,1 of that side, but at the Sametime, asthe spring pocket or yoke lOis a traveling yoke sovthat the whole` spring is capable of longitudinal` or bodily movement the force` is transmitted through spring pocket or yoke 1,0 of said side and thev equalizing connection (1t-14a or 14h, as the `case may be)to the opposite spring pocketor yoke 1G, its springand rod 9 t0 the opposite rock arm 6 andl stem 3so thatthere is equal` spring pressure throughout the-system and on` all parts of thediaphragm platesco-existent withextended movement` of; said plates.

At the sameitirnethe spring tensionrods21 will the one .advance and theotherrecedel so las to maintain theproper tension onthe tieni-4 blewebs 16-16 through the mediumot the chains or cor,ds`25`-.25, which in ceiling on-oruncoiling, from the shafts of Web: rollers 127,- 17, permit a practically 11n-limited, extension or reduction of the web walls while maintain,- ing them with asmoothor unwrinkledsu-rface.

i It will be notedthat inthe construction of. the devices l chosen for; pn rposes -of illustrat- IOO IIO

ing my invention, the simplest combination of enacting elements embraces the diaphragm plate, stems passing through the front of the vestibule proper and acting on two rocker arms which rocker arms are either mediately or immediately1 connected by an interposed spring capable of longitudinal movement bodily vor independent of` itsspring action.

I am aware that there have heretofore been combined in an equalizerforcar vestibulesz first, a horizontal or transverse centrally pivoted lever;-second, two vertical pivoted levers, each having its lower end forked or bifurcated, and its upper end connected to one end of the transverse lever by a link or links;-third, two horizontal stems or shafts connected with the diaphragm-plate above and at opposite sides and each provided with a fixed collar and a loose er movable collar, the shaft passing through the fork of the ver tical pivoted lever and the movable collar adapted to engage the said lever--and fourth, two spiral springs equal to the requirements for upper buers, one of said springs arranged on each horizontal stem or shaft between the fixed and the movable collarthereof: but such a construction or combination dilers from that hereinbefore set forth by me, in that one of the springs (both of which are essential to the recited combination) must have a fixed support, which in conjunction with the fixed collar upon its shaft and the movable collar between the spring and vertical pivoted lever, limits the equalizing movement of the system to the limit of compression of the springs, whereas in my system the spring is a bodily movable or floating spring, the movements of which are practicallyT unrestricted.

Having thus described the nature, operation, and advantages of my invention, what I claim, and desire t'o secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The combination with a vestibule proper, and a diaphragm plate, of an equalizer, a spring or springs connected thereto, and movable therewith, and stems which support the diaphragm plate, and positively actuate the equalizing mechanism; substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. The combination with a vestibule and diaphragm plate, of stems which are connected with the top of the diaphragm plate, springs connected with the respective stems, spring pockets or yokes, and an equalizer which connects the spring yokes; substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. The combination with a vestibule and diaphragm plate, of stems connected with the top of the diaphragm plate, rocker arms with which the stems engage, an equalizer, and a spring interposed between the equalizer and each of the rocker arms; substantially as and for vthe purposes specified.

with which thestems engage, rods connected with the rocker arms, a spring yoke and spring for each of said rods, and an equalizer which connects the spring yokes; substantially as and for the purposes specified.

6. The combination with a vestibule and diaphragm plate, of horizontal stems for the top of the diaphragm plate, rocker arms, vertical rods, an equalizer, and interposed springs; substantially as and for the purposes speci fied.

7. The combination with a vestibule and diaphragm plates, of a iiexible web cut back at one edge and having a central connection at said edge, and means for retractin g the web at the opposite edge; substantially as and for the purposes specified.

8. The combination with a vestibule and diaphragm plate, of a flexible web cut back at its front edge and having a central connection with the diaphragm plate, and a spring actuated roller for controlling the other edge of the flexible web; substantially as and for the purposes specified.

9. The combination' with a vestibule and diaphragm plates, of a iiexible web out back at its edge and having a central connection with one of said first named parts, elastic gores secured to the cut back edge, and means for retracting the opposite edge of the dexible web; substantially as and for the purposes specified.

10. The combination with a vestibule and diaphragm plates, of a flexible web, a roller therefor, a spring for actuating the roller, and a cord or like flexible connection between the spring and roller; substantially as and for the purposes specified.

1l. The combination with a vestibule and Vdiaphragm plate, of a flexible web, a roller ICO and a diaphragmplate, of rocker arms, an

equalizer, and vertical spring connections between the rocker arms, and the equalizer; sub-- stantially as and for the purposes specided.

14. The combination with avestibule proper and a movable diaphragm plate, of means for supporting said movable diaphragm plate a bodily movable equalizing mechanism interposed between the movable diaphragm-plate supports, said equalizing mechanism having as a constituent pari; a resilient element disrant from the movable diaphragm supportsj and means for actuating said equalizing mechanism asa whole from the diaphragm plate; substantially as and for the purposes specified.

In testimonywhereof I affix my signati'e, in presence of two Witnesses, this Vlst; day of De- 1o cember, 1893,

' GEORGE' ABEL.

Witnesses:

M. L. ALLEN, R. E. JANNEY. 

